ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2015
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2015 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effects of fertilizer liberalization on maize production in Nigeria
A. A. Ammani1*, J. F. Alamu2 and T. M. Kudi2
1Agricultural Extension and Economics Programme, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria- Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria.
Accepted 4 October, 2014
Abstract
The paper studies the effects of the liberalization of the Nigerian fertilizer sector, vis-à-vis the sustenance of the present dual fertilizer distribution arrangement, on maize production in Nigeria. Time series data was collected for the period 1990- 2006. A multiple regression model was specified with aggregate fertilizer use, maize hectarage and a dummy variable designed to capture the effects of the changes induced by fertilizer liberalization measure, as explanatory variables. Aggregate maize output was the dependent variable. Results of this study indicate that a significant decrease in aggregate maize production followed the Federal Government’s liberalization of the fertilizer sector in 1997. The statistically significant decrease in Maize production is attributable to the statistically significant decrease in fertilizer use during the fertilizer liberalization period. The paper concluded that the sustenance of the present dual fertilizer distribution arrangement has a negative effect on maize production in Nigeria.
Key words: Effects, fertilizer liberalization, maize production, Nigeria.